Left atrial appendage occlusion: consensus document of Association of Cardiovascular Interventions and Heart Rhythm Section of Polish Cardiac Society
Abstract
Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion devices have the potential to influence the clinical approach to stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. A number of percutaneous techniques have been proposed, including various intracardiac plugs and also external ligation. Several devices have been already used in Poland. One of them has been evaluated in randomised controlled trials compared with the current standard of care. Others are less well studied but quite commonly used in Europe. It is anticipated that the use of LAA occlusion technologies in clinical practice will expand. This Consensus Document prepared jointly by Association of Cardiovascular Interventions (AISN) and Heart Rhythm Section (HRS) of Polish Cardiac Society seeks to highlight the critical issues surrounding LAA occlusion therapies and to facilitate the alignment of multiple interests, including those of primary care physicians, general cardiologists and procedural specialists (electrophysiologists and interventional cardiologists) but also other medical professionals. The article summarises current evidence and provides specific recommendations on organisation and conduct of LAA therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation in Poland and defines also operator and institutional requirements fundamental to the establishment of successful LAA occlusion programmme.
Keywords: clinical expert consensus documentleft atrial appendage occlusionatrial fibrillationstrokeanticoagulationLAA occluders